Cushing's Syndrome and Corticotropin-secreting Carcinoma of the Lung

Abstract

The association of Cushing's syndrome and carcinoma of the lung has occurred with sufficient frequency to suggest more than a coincidental relationship (1-4). However, the nature of this relationship has not been clear. In some cases, hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex is noted before the carcinoma is discovered, while sometimes the neoplasm appears first (1-4). The idea that the tumor might in some manner stimulate the pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotropin has been suggested by the finding of elevated plasma ACTH levels in several patients (3, 5). However, this finding is also consistent with the concept that the neoplasm itself secretes